British people are the least likely in Europe to be a "have-a-go heroes" and get involved if they witness a crime, research from a think tank claims.

The public policy group Reform says that Britons have become "passive bystanders" in the fight against crime.

It says the UK has the world's most expensive justice system but people are uninformed and abdicate responsibility to politicians, police and the courts.

The government said the justice system had been "transformed" since 1997.

A joint statement from Home Office Minister Tony McNulty and Justice Minister David Hanson said many measures to ensure justice is seen to be done are already being implemented.

Reform's report calls for further initiatives to get the public more involved, such as regionalised criminal justice policies and televised court proceedings.

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